World Cup 2006 News

Portugal into quarter-finals after ill-tempered clash

Jun 25, 2006, 21:20 GMT

Nuremburg - Portugal beat the Netherlands 1-0 on Sunday to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup after one of the most ill- tempered matches in World Cup history.

Four men were sent off - two for both sides - and eight others were booked as tempers boiled over in Nuremburg.

A 23rd-minute goal from Maniche was enough to put Portugal into the last eight and a clash with England, a repeat of their quarter- final match at the 2004 European Championships, which Portugal won on penalties.

'I don't think it was a violent game,' Maniche said.

'The referee didn't contribute to making this a good football match, with the good football we were giving.

'But I think we deserved to win. We are a great group, talented players and friends as well.'

On an incredible night, referee Valentin Ivanov completely lost control of the match, flashing 16 yellow cards in all, and four reds as a result - equalling the record for a World Cup match.

Portugal defender Costinha was the first to go, sent off for a second booking just before half-time.

Khalid Boulahrouz evened the numbers when he saw red after a second booking for a foul on Portugal captain Luis Figo just after the hour mark.

'I tried to get the ball, he hit me in the face and I think he deserved the red card,' Figo said.

Portugal midfielder Deco then made it 10-9 to the Dutch when he lost his head to be booked twice in five minutes (73 and 78) while Ivanov gave Giovanni van Bronckhorst his marching orders in injury time, also for a second booking.

The 16 yellow cards and four reds equals the record for a World Cup match, set by Cameroon against Germany in 2002.

Phillip Cocu came closest to equalising for the Dutch early in the second half but his right-foot effort cannoned off the crossbar.